PERHAPS the most pertinent question in the wake of Mark Neeld's sacking is whether a new coach can wring anything more from this Demons playing group.

Earlier this season Neeld spoke of a "rebuild on a rebuild", however, at yesterday's media conference he described the players as "a great group", adding: "Over time (they) will get some really good results for the Melbourne footy club, I'm really confident in that."

Make no mistake, Neeld had a big say in shaping this playing list. He was chosen for the Melbourne job because the club needed someone who could come in and hit the playing group with some hard truths.

CAN A NEW COACH RESURRECT THE DEES? CHAT LIVE WARWICK GREEN FROM 1PM BELOW.

Can a new coach fix Melbourne? It was a huge contrast to the style of Dean Bailey, who empowered players to such an extent they once cancelled their own time-trial run.

The Demons then began a list overhaul by bringing 13 footballers into the club over the 2013 off-season. Most of those slots went to young draft picks, but ironically the club was concerned too many teenagers would make the team uncompetitive.

The two other options were to persevere with seasoned Melbourne players whose cards had been marked by Neeld, or to use low draft picks and trades to bring in some mature bodies. The Demons, and Neeld, opted for the latter.

Chris Dawes may prove his worth, but the other gambles look unlikely to pay off.

Part of the problem was a game plan that borrowed heavily from Neeld's time at Collingwood. The Demons had neither the skill to advance along the boundary, nor Travis Cloke's contested marking at the end of it - and AFL strategies have since moved on.

Over the past 11 matches Melbourne has degenerated into a team so determined to get numbers at the ball it has lost all semblance of structure. But it is not all gloom for whoever takes the reins in 2014.

The Demons have a potentially strong forward line: Mitch Clark provides the class when fit, Dawes the grunt, Jesse Hogan the potential and Jeremy Howe the flair. The backline is capable, with James Frawley the pivotal man.

The glaring weakness is the midfield. Nathan Jones is an honest inside mid ranked equal third with Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson at centre clearances this season, while Jack Viney has shown in his first year he could develop into an elite centre-square player.

After that, the Demons' midfield drops away.

Matt Jones has proved a handy mature-aged pick-up, Jimmy Toumpas might get there with time.

Sam Blease and Dom Barry can help bolster these areas, but the Demons will certainly have to look outside the club for answers.

That is why they crave a priority draft pick.

Over the next 11 matches the Melbourne players will have to sing for their supper. Some will prove their worth, some their use-by date and yet others their trade value.

Colin Sylvia can either knuckle down or hope a club wants an erratic 28-year-old. Jack Watts needs to find some urgency or a new suitor and Mark Jamar needs to remind people elite ruckman are a rare commodity.

There is a fair bit for the new coach to work with, but a fair bit of work to be done.

Source: News Limited

FIGHT TO KEEP STARS

THE sacking of Mark Neeld will significantly aid Melbourne's attempt to retain its disgruntled players, but the real test is hiring a fulltime coach.

Free agent Colin Sylvia, No.1 draft pick Jack Watts and budding ruckman Max Gawn are out of contract and being heavily pursued by rivals during the Demons' horror season.

The retention of those players was made a key focus by chief executive Peter Jackson yesterday as he announced the departure of Mark Neeld.

But sources maintain it is the appointment of a long-term coach that is likely to have the biggest weight for players weighing up their future.

Interim coach Neil Craig is expected to make the club more competitive, but he is closely tied to Neeld and has an identical hardline philosophy.

Sylvia is yet to make a decision on his future, weighing his loyalty with the reality the club will likely not play finals while he is there.

Watts has as many as eight clubs chasing him.

One insider said of Neeld's bond with his players: "He just didn't have a strong relationship with them."

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